Wednesday 19 April 2023

Trudeau's Jamaica vacation shows 'lack of judgment,' opposition leaders say

 

Trudeau's Jamaica vacation shows 'lack of judgment,' opposition leaders say

PM's trip to luxurious Prospect estate cost taxpayers $160,000

Radio-Canada reported that Trudeau vacationed at Prospect, a "luxurious estate" with seaside villas owned by the Green family. Alexander and Andrew Green made a large donation to the foundation in 2021 to establish a scholarship in memory of their mother.

The Jamaica trip cost taxpayers roughly $160,000 because of travel-related security and personnel costs. The French-language arm of the CBC said some staff were also put up at a nearby all-inclusive resort, which cost the federal treasury.

An image of a pool that overlooks the ocean     A view of the ocean from one of the Prospect villas. (Prospect Villas)

Trudeau was reprimanded by Canada's ethics commissioner over a 2016 vacation to the Aga Khan's private island in the Bahamas — another trip that saddled taxpayers with the tens of thousands of dollars in costs that come when the prime minister travels abroad.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said Trudeau's choice of a vacation spot shows he's "out of touch" and moves in elite circles where millionaires shower their friends with costly vacations.

Citing recent polling, Poilievre said many Canadians are planning to scale back on their summer vacation plans because of high inflation.

When they hear of Trudeau vacationing at a lavish tropical resort, he said, they get angry.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre adjusts his glasses as speaks to reporters after the tabling of the Federal Budget in the in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Tuesday, March 28, 2023. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says Canadians forced to cut back on their own holiday plans are angered by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's stay at a luxury resort owned by donors to the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation. (Justin Tang/Canadian Press)

"Two-thirds of Canadians say they're cutting back on summer vacations. A quarter say they've cancelled their vacations altogether but they'll still have to pay for someone else's vacation," Poilievre said.

Under law, Trudeau can't travel like any other Canadian. As the head of government, he's protected around the clock by an RCMP security detail regardless of where he is in the world.

Liberal government House leader Mark Holland said the costs incurred were "reasonable" because Trudeau must be adequately protected. He said the vast majority of costs billed to the taxpayer were security-related.

Holland said Trudeau and his family deserve a vacation and the Conservative "fixation" on the prime minister's Jamaica trip is "very revealing."

"It is clear that the interest of the party opposite is a partisan interest. It's an interest to attack, it is an interest to advance their partisanship advantage," he said.

Trudeau himself defended the trip, saying he's been family friends with the Greens for more than 50 years.

He said his father was the godfather to one of the Green children and their father in turn was godfather to one of his brothers.

"The leader of the opposition struggles with the concept of friendship, Mr. Speaker. When one has a friend, you often go to visit them. We worked with the ethics commissioner to make sure all the rules were followed," Trudeau said.

Pressed to answer if he had paid the going rate — Prospect can cost up to $9,000 a night for any other guest — Trudeau punted, saying that if Poilievre was really concerned about cost of living issues he'd support Liberal programs like child care and dental care.

Speaking to reporters on Parliament Hill, Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet said it's not enough that Trudeau had the Jamaica trip pre-approved by the ethics commissioner.

Blanchet said the trip raises questions about Trudeau's capacity to lead the country.

"He didn't hear the little voice saying to him, 'Maybe you shouldn't do this,'" Blanchet said.

WATCH: Bloc Leader criticizes PM's Jamaica trip with Trudeau Foundation donor 

Bloc Leader criticizes PM's Jamaica trip with Trudeau Foundation donor

Duration 2:14
Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-François Blanchet says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's decision to go on the trip shows a 'lack of consideration and respect for the average citizen' when so many Canadians are concerned with making ends meet because of inflation.

While Blanchet conceded Trudeau is entitled to a vacation, the separatist leader said it is a politically questionable decision to take one at a place that costs taxpayers so much.

"Now, here we go again, talking about a lack of judgment and a lack of respect on the part of the prime minister for the average citizen, whose votes he would like to get at election time," Blanchet said.

"This is a lack of respect for taxpayers. A lack of respect for people who are struggling every day. Quebecers and Canadians are facing questions about their capacity to pay their mortgages."

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh also pounced, saying the Jamaica vacation shows the prime minister is out of touch with what Canadians are experiencing.

"The fact is that the lifestyle of the prime minister — the way he lives — means that he doesn't understand people's challenges," Singh said.

Citing Canada's stretched housing market and failing health-care system, Singh said Trudeau isn't all that motivated to tackle the big issues of our time because he's never faced any hardship.

"I'm concerned about the cost of groceries because I went through that myself in my own life. The difference here is the prime minister does not understand that," Singh said.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


John Paul Tasker

Senior writer

J.P. Tasker is a journalist in CBC's parliamentary bureau who reports for digital, radio and television. He is also a regular panellist on CBC News Network's Power & Politics. He covers the Conservative Party, Canada-U.S. relations, Crown-Indigenous affairs, climate change, health policy and the Senate. You can send story ideas and tips to J.P. at john.tasker@cbc.ca.

 
 
 
6099 Comments
 
 
 
Nick Dekker
One thinks he would get it after 8 years, but...... 
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Nick Dekker  
He doesn't care 
 
 
David Amos
Reply to David Amos
Methinks he never will because 160 grand is chump change to Trudeau N'esy Pas?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Enoch Pemican
I believe he used the word 'intersection' to describe what was not happening between him and the Foundation.  
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Enoch Pemican
Who cares? 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Geoff MacDonald 
The optics never seem to look good for any of his decisions.  
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Geoff MacDonald  
Thats because they never are
 
 
 
 
 
 
Hank Rearden 
Keeping Trudeau out of hot water must be a full time job 
 
 
Bob Notley
Reply to Hank Rearden 
must be the cause of climate change 
 
 
Neil Turv
Reply to Hank Rearden   
If there actually is someone supposed to do that they should be fired.

Who is saying:

"Justin it's the first Truth and reconciliation day, a holiday you started, maybe don't go surfing."

"Justin, $6,000 isn't a lot of money for a leader and his family to spend, why don't you just admit it was you?"

"Justin, I know you deserve a vacation, but this particular person has some political ties to your family and the optics aren't great."

Over and over again, what he does is not a big deal, until he goes to all lengths to blame others or outright avoid the question.

 
Chris Anderson  
Reply to Hank Rearden 
OMG! Trudeau had a holiday. The sky is falling, it's armageddon. PP has been on the public purse, paying his rent with my money for his entire adult life and yet this is his latest whining? 
 
 
Joe Shin  
Reply to Chris Anderson   
I'm amazed that there are Canadians that think paying quarterly family luxury vacations abroad for the Trudeau family has equal importance as paying an MP's salary.
 
 
Jane Whitford
Reply to Chris Anderson  
Show us any taxpayer vacations taken by Poiliviere!

A)

B)

C)

 
David Amos
Reply to Jane Whitford  
Poiliviere gets to cuddle with RCMP for free everyday If he decided to take a vacation they would go too on our dime
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dottie Prentice  
Evidently "judgement" has never been a Trudeau strongpoint at any stage in his existence.
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Dottie Prentice  
C'est Vrai 
 
 
 
 
 
Joe Martimer 
Every thing this guy does shows a lack of judgement 
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Joe Martimer  
I disagree He picked an interesting lady to marry
 
 
 
 
 
Bob Notley  
Vacation count 2023 : 2 ... so far.
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Bob Notley   
Oh my 
 
 
 
 
David Rivers 
Two words: "No intersection."
 
 
David Amos
Reply to David Rivers 
No intersection Hence no sign reading Stop/Arret 

 

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